After a long and fruitful deliberation, The 4th meeting of the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) hosted by Brunei Darussalam online concluded yesterday reaching a resolution that will be signed by Heads of AIPA parliamentary delegates at the 42nd AIPA General Assembly in August.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii as chair of the 4th AIPACODD meeting said in her closing remarks, “Our meeting has reached a consensus on the resolution, which is ‘prevailing the contemporary and responsive challenges towards drug-free ASEAN’ as well as the report of the meeting.
“During the discussions, significant points were noted such as the illicit manufacturing, distribution and trafficking of drugs.
“The issue remains a serious threat in some countries despite COVID-19. It was noted that we need to make a continuous effort to fight and keep this under control.
“This is to ensure that ASEAN is a drug-free region.
ABOVE & BELOW: LegCo member Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii, chair of the 4th AIPACODD meeting; and LegCo member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad with other LegCo members during the meeting. PHOTOS: JAMES KON (Borneo Bulletin)
“Additionally, ASEAN’s response to this issue is to be firmly implemented which is the zero tolerance approach to drugs.
“Mainly because the impact of COVID-19 has enabled strenuous efforts in raising awareness on dangers of drugs and studies on the effects of COVID-19.
“We also need to strengthen our action and cooperation at national, regional and international levels if we are to solve the issues that we discussed and this cannot be done single-handedly.
“It is also important to raise awareness through organisations and platforms for the future generation about the harmful effects of drugs.”
During the closing ceremony, AIPA members inked the committee report of the 4th AIPACODD. Cambodia will be the host of the next AIPACODD. LegCo member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad as the head of delegation for Brunei Darussalam and other LegCo members were also present.
(News Source: Borneo Bulletin)
